The Adjustment was a beautiful play not just about religion and politics but about how people can change each other for the better. Caitlin Currey lit up the stage with an enchanting way of taking in the audience and never letting them go even when the play was over, she honestly has the presence of film legend “Bette Davis”. But the play was imaginative, funny and had moments with overwhelming emotional drive that can only be brought to you by a Director (Denis Malone) who cares for his work like he would his child. With love, respect and knowing what’s best.

I chose to wait in posting until after the final curtain call of The Adjustment prior to posting on this forum. I have seen the show, in total, roughly a dozen times, as well as read the script just as many. I enjoyed the play on a level most audience members will never be able to achieve unless they have been in a production themselves. I, however, have not seen The Adjustment done in a larger forum, so I cannot compare notes, dissect, and examine with a keen eye the nuances that others find in a production. How could I? This is my first production.
For those who took the time to read the playbill, they would have noticed that there was an active duty member of the United States Navy as part of this crew. To be as eloquent as possible, to Barbara, I will not apologize. Only Mr. Malone could do that, and I assure you, he will not. There was no desecration of any flag. There were red, white, and blue stripes that faintly resemble the banners hung at political rallies, or the French flag flapping in the wind, but no American flag was harmed during the creation of this production. There were silver representations of the Star of David scattered throughout the set, and, since the characters were Jewish, this was thought to be appropriate. When one focuses on a single aspect of the set one misses the point of theater. You missed the show itself, and that is a tragedy. How can you judge something you, apparently, did not see, nor choose to experience?
To Lenny, please stop helping.
To Ms. O’Hare, I can only say that I taste a fine vintage of sour-grapes in the ‘subtext’ of your statement. I question if you bothered to see the show, but a shot too late, is a shot wasted, so I wish you the best in your future endeavors, whatever those may be.
I could go on, but it would be sloppy, and I think I may have gone too far as is.
However, I do wish to close with who I am. I am a recently separated member of the United States Navy, serving six years with two tours to the North Arabian Gulf. You will not find my name on any of the playbills, as I was a walk-on tech for Jonathan Bremner in the case that his current occupation required him to leave on short notice. I have only begun to experience the theater within the last year, starting with productions of Rent and Chicago at the Chrysler Hall, and a production of Golden Girls at Smith College in Northampton, MA.
Now, mayhaps, it is my novice perception of this dazzling world of theater, but wasn’t the point of a show to experience an event. To see it from a perspective other than our own, and feel sensations that we would rather not have to in our own ‘real’ lives? I heard of a lack of substance, but substance was there. It may have not been the flavor that one is accustomed to, but it was there.
Is Community Theater about trying to mimic the bigger theaters, or is a place to experiment? Perhaps, a place to try bold new things, bounce different ideas around like a racquetball in a small room before unleashing them to the public, or, maybe, a place to raise questions that we, as a society or as individuals, don’t like asking ourselves?
I believe that the cast accomplished a monumental feat by bringing these to light in a small theater. As C. Gendusa said, “you got people talking”. I am proud to have been part of this cast, and thank all those who came to see it, whether you enjoyed the show or not.

What an amazing response to an amazing show. I absolutely loved this production and everything that Denis Malone did with it. I think that, while the casting was younger than the Mike Folie intended, Both Caitlin Currey and Casey Braxton had the gravitas to carry heavy topics and the spunk to keep the pacing electric- middle-aged actors may very well have dragged this show into the ground. I wasn't as absolutely thrilled with Folie's script as many of you seem to be, although I must say that he does an admirable job of taking nearly every issue sure to start an argument and rolling them all together into one script. Which leads me to my next, and most important, point:

Most of the commenters below me came here because they were so inspired/outraged by this show that they needed to get it out, to have their voice heard. Whether they loved or hated the show, it got them talking, and thinking, about issues that aren't easy to deal with, and to which no one has a definite right answer. And, to me, that is what all art should aspire to do. So congratulations, Mr. Malone- you got people talking.

You Talked Me Out of It.
You know, as an ODU student, I am really proud of Denis's work ouside of school.
I was looking forward to seeing it after reading many of the comments.
However, if Lenny is a part of the cast as he claims, then he just talked me out of it
Sorry, Denis.

Alright, I know that there is a ton of emotion and opinion about generic in general and this show in specific, but...
'and here is where I get really nasty'

I like having this as a place that people can freely voice their opinions, but if people start attacking one another personally, then this will become a hostile environment where only the brave or callous will voice their opinions. That is unnacceptable, and, might I say, a little childish.

I would like to be able to keep the comment boards and forums as lightly moderated as possible. However, if they become a battleground for personal animosity, our monitoring will need to increase and repeat offenders may have to be banned from posting.

So feel free to voice your opinions unless you are trying to launch a personal attack. Thank you.

-pj
Administrator
onhamptonroads.com

ok now I *really* want to see the show :)

'LOOK CLOSER'
It's a shame that the majority of audiences who view this show will never be aware of all the underlying meaning and beauty 'The Adjustment' at the Generic Theater embodies. This production is flooded with subliminal messages that most will only see as mere shtick and surface spectacle. Unfortunately, when a script incorporates religion and politics on any level it's inevitably going to conclude in a disagreement, but overall this isn't a script about religion and politics. This is a play about relationships, the impact they have on our lives, and the ultimate sacrifices we make for them. Folie is stressing that as a society we so often get hung up on issues that are inferior to what will always reign supreme, love. Of course, this is a commonly believed idea, although it is a rarely practiced one. Malone only exacerbates on this idea through his intellectually intuitive imagination. There is nothing more important than the impressions our lives leave on other lives. I feel torn because I don't know whether I should feel good about getting this, or sad because so many others never will. Whether you hate this play or love it you can't deny the fact that it strikes something from within and challenges you to take a long hard look at yourself and question your own values and principles and what you stand for. This is the true meaning of a successful piece of art. ---Madeline Aames

Malone and company bring an entirely new innovative energy to the Hampton Roads theater district, which is so desperately needed. Hands down without a doubt a FIVE STAR SHOW!

This production was energetic, enlightening, entertaining, and intriguing. Perhaps the actors were too young for their roles- but I did not notice. Mr. Malone obviously compensated very well, creating a production that appeals to the 'inner child.' As a young adult I related with the characters, especially Gray, as she tried to reconcile her long-held beliefs and her new insights. Caitlin Marie Currey was AMAZING. I congratulate the entire cast and most especially the director, Mr. Malone, who I predict has a very bright future.

mr malone, we did not enjoy seeing the american flag desecrated in this set. my grandfather father died at omaha beach on d-day for this? when did the generic theater become a staging ground for odu students? to tell the truth, this was a clownish attempt at 'art.' nothing is more ridiculous than using chidren pose as adults. why not just stage a grade school recital, it would certainly save on royalties! we walked out; to tell the truth, because we felt cheated. mr malone, grow up!--barbara

Hello everyone, cheez, don't know what to say to Ellen, sorry you were so disappointed? Anyway, I saw 'the Adjustment' for what it was, an enjoyable piece of fluff, worth the entry fee, etc. Not deep drama, yes, they were 'miscast', way too young for the roles, but they did a darn fine job with what they had. I often see Gevernor's School plays, and the kids there do credible work, sometimes better than their adult peers. Anyway, I thought we were supposed to judge the production bing done, and not the theatre itself. Put simply,The Adjustment rates (in my book) 3 1/2 *'s out of 5 *'s. Go see it, if for nothing else than the nostalgia of witnessing Generic's last stand. Peace and Love--Joseph